REAL PEOPLE, REAL ISSUES

February 2007

February 28, 2007

The AsianWeek newspaper article announced Wednesday that it has suspended the author of "Why I Hate Blacks," freelance contributor Kenneth Eng, and called publication of his opinion piece "an insensitive and callous mistake that should never have been made by our publication." "As a publication whose motto is the 'voice of the Asian American community' we are humbled and overwhelmed at reader response not only chastising our editorial process, but strongly urging our paper to sever all ties to this contributor. We have heard the call," said the statement, posted at 9:39 a.m. Pacific time on the publication's Web site. The statement did not say whether any editors would be punished for "this serious lapse in editorial judgment," but said that, "In the future we will take extra steps to ensure that while diversity of opinion remains a constant pillar in AsianWeek editorial policy, promotion of hate speech of any kind will not and should not ever be tolerated." At midday, phones at the publication were being answered with a voice-message system. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Jon Carroll Wednesday of AsianWeek's editor-in-chief, If Samson Wong knew how ignorant the column was and published it anyway, that's one kind of bad. If he didn't, what's he doing editing a newspaper? MORE ON THIS STORY

SANTA MONICA -- America's Next Top Model can't strut her stuff on local buses. Ads for the TV show were removed from the sides of Santa Monica Big Blue Buses after complaints. The ads showed host Tyra Banks and the new season's swimsuited contestants posing in front of a waterfall. Most of the complaints were from people concerned that the city might be endorsing a show they believed was disrespectful to women, said Stephanie Negriff, director of transit services in the beach city. "It's a matter of public taste, she said." "We try to be sensitive to the community. We wouldn't want to do anything that would disrespect women," Negriff said. The ads were up for about two weeks. The bus line is refunding money the CW network paid for the promotion. It's a jungle out there in bus marketing. "Every place in America next top models aren't safe anymore", CW spokesman Paul McGuire said. "We are very proud of Tyra banks and this wonderful program," he added Tuesday. "And for any citizens of Santa Monica who may not have seen our message, new episodes premiere tomorrow night. In recent years, the city has nixed bus ads for the TV show Nip/Tuck and the movie Ten Things I Hate About You. PREVIEW THE SHOW

February 27, 2007

Who says Simon, knows what he's talking about, did not he say she was "Out of her depth in this competition". It is amazing what faith and hard work can do. Stay humble girl, and you will go far. I was really surprised, because the Academy usually doesnt give the Oscar to new comers. Now if we can get more access to main stream roles, other than pimps, hustlers, and gangsters. Big ups to Jennifer. Dreamgirls has now been realized. I know Florence is looking over us and truly saying Baby Love, My Baby Love. Eddy keep pushing bro, Will you were amazing and the movie will be an inspiration to all who are told you can't. A quote that comes to mind which I think is approriate is "A principle is a principle. And in no case can it be watered down because of our incapacity to live it in practice. We have to strive to achieve it, and the striving should be conscious, deliberate and hard." - Mahatma Gandhi, 1939

Bobby Brown was arrested on Sunday outside of his daughter's cheerleading competition and jailed for failure to appear in court and pay child support fines."He went very cooperatively. According to the constable, no one was really around," said Patrick McDermott, clerk of Norfolk Probate Court in Canton, Massachusetts. In October, a judge ordered Brown to be arrested if he stepped foot in the state after the singer skipped a court hearing over $11,000 in delinquent child support payments to Kim Ward, the mother of Brown's children LaPrincia (no comment) and Bobby III. Later that month, McDermott said that Brown had paid what he owed to Ward; however, the arrest warrant has remained in place – probably in case Brown fell behind again, McDermott.Lawyers for both sides are currently conferring with a probation officer to determine how much Brown owes Ward at this point. (source)

Forest Whitaker's ex-girlfriend Monique Miller told UK tabloid News of the World that she is still in love with the star and hopes that they will reunite one day."He was not the best looking man in the world. He was hardly a typical movie star - - slightly overweight and with a lazy left eye (She didn't have to mention his wonky eye - - Fresh) . But he made up for it with his magical personality. He was the earth, the wind and the sea for me and always took my breath away."Monique recalled how she helped teach her shy lover about sex because he'd been a school nerd, unsuccessful with girls. She said: "I had great fun showing him the ropes in bed . . . and he was a quick learner. It was amazing. He made every inch of my body tingle with lust. Forest was incredibly romantic. Many nights I'd come home to find he had run me a bath, put rose water in it and lit candles. We'd strip off, slide in together and make love in the water."'Make my body tingle with lust.' I have a feeling we have another ghetto Danielle Steele on our hands.After the birth of their son Ocean the couple drifted apart. Get it? Ocean, drift . . . nevermind. The remainder of the article talks about her discovering condoms and going on a rampage while Forest ate pancakes in bed and other details no one probably cares about.

February 25, 2007

This week the media reported extensively on the fighting between Barack Obama, his new supporter David Geffen, and Geffen's former allies Bill and Hillary Clinton. Here's how it went down. Geffen criticized the Clintons. Hillary Clinton's campaign responded by challenging Obama to disavow Geffen. Then Obama's campaign shot back that the Clintons had no problem supporting Geffen while he was raising money for them. That's all an interesting side show, but meanwhile there's another attack going on that deserves our attention. I've always known that Fox News is filled with biased second-rate journalism. Despite the motto of "fair and balanced"...

Made In Brazil reader Juliano Mendes da Hora is a freelance photographer hailing from the Northeast of the country (which explains the amazing scenery in the picture he sent). You can check out some of his work at Cajumanga and on his fotolog.

DETROIT - Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan stressed religious unity Sunday during his final major speech, saying the world is at war because Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths are divided. The 73-year-old Farrakhan told the thousands at Detroit's Ford Field that Jesus Christ and the Prophet Muhammad would embrace each other with love if they were on the stage behind him."Our lips are full of praise, but our hearts are far removed from the prophets we all claim," he said. "That's why the world is in the shape that it's in." The fiery orator spoke for the first time since ceding leadership of the movement last year because of illness. The speech at the home of the National Football League's Detroit Lions capped the Nation's three-day convention in the city where it was founded in 1930. MORE ON THIS STORY

February 23, 2007

Rapper 50 Cent, who is no stranger to controversy himself, told CNN this week that he’d use the word “faggot” all day.His reasoning, “It’s like bad meaning good. The same way they use Nigger.” While 50 Cent has no problem hurling the “F” and “N” words, I bet he wouldn’t use a derogatory term to describe Jews, no matter what the context because he isn’t that stupid. But when it comes to his own people, he, like so many others, have no problem using racially and sexually offensive language. 50 Cent and other brothers and sisters who suffer from this backward ass thinking that it’s ok to use a word because the intent is different will be the reason why our children (notice I said our children because other races don’t condone the use of words like bitch, ho, and etc. as acceptable language under any circumstances) will grow up thinking that it’s ok to use these words amongst each other and out in the real world. Working in Compton right near a high school, every day around 3 p.m. I am inundated with the nasty mouths of students walking past our office. MORE ON THIS STORY

By Greasy Guide on Greasy News The original Dreamgirl, Jennifer Holliday, pissed that she was consulted for the movie version of Dreamgirls, is returning to the role she made famous. She will revive the role of Effie White during the Black Arts Festival in Atlanta this Summer. The performances will run from July 19th - the 29th at Atlanta’s For tickets call (404) 252-8960 or visit www.theaterofthestars.com. I wonder what she would have to say about last night performance of “And I Am Telling You” by American Idol hopeful LaKisha Jones? I thought LaKisha did a good job. I don’t think it was the best version of the song but it was enough to keep her in the competition for another week. She will probably make the final 12.

By Greasy Guide on Greasy News - Season 3 winner, Fantasia Barrino, announced tonight that she will be taking over the role of Celie in the Oprah Winfrey produce Broadway play “The Color Purple.” Fantasia will take over the role starting April 10th and if tonight’s performance during American Idol is an indication of what she will bring to the play, it is sure to be sold out during run as Celie. Tickets for The Color Purple may be purchased by visiting www.Telecharge.com, by calling 212-239-6200 or visiting the Broadway Theatre box office.

Media titan Oprah Winfrey is throwing her considerable weight behind Barack Obama’s bid to become America’s first black president after dismissing public opinion suggesting she should make a run for office. Winfrey admits she’s a huge fan of Obama’s opponent and fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton, but Obama has her vote. Speaking on Ellen DeGeneres’ chat show [...]

LOOKS LIKE NICK CANNON IS A MARRIED MAN. US Weekly Magazine is reporting that he married Victoria’s Secret Model, Selita Ebanks in Vegas last weekend. Read the scoop: …..Nick Cannon, 26, married Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks, 24, in Las Vegas last weekend. Sources say the altar-rushers were staying at the Palms Casino Resort Hotel and [...]

Stars at Black Enterprise’s Top 50 Power Brokers party last night Black Enterprise threw a celebration for their Top 50 Hollywood Power Brokers List, which is featured in the March issue of the magazine. Guests included Eddie Murphy, Babyface, Vivica Fox, Eva Marcelle, Kimora Lee Simmons, Chris Brown and many more… [...]

Usher and Tameka last month at the Trumpet Awards Word is, on Valentine’s Day, Usher asked his longtime girlfriend Tameka Foster for her hand in marriage. The mother of 3, was given a 10 carat diamond ring and is said to be already planning the wedding. The two who have been popular on black gossip blogs, [...]

Well in Tim Hardaway’s case, videos of him butt booty naked in the locker room are released for the public’s viewing. Even after he made a second apology for his harsh remarks, he still ain’t getting no love. Now ladies, I didn’t notice any other equipment in the videos, but there’s plenty of backside and [...]

With Dwyane Wade out indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder, Charley Rosen says it will be up to Shaquille O'Neal to carry the load for Miami. He'll also need plenty of help from his teammates. And if Thursday's loss to Dallas is any indication, that will be a tall order.

Harlan Brandon believes that at $98 - $120 a pair, his line of dress shoes provides an excellent value to the customer. “We produce a product that is, price wise, in line with what other companies are doing. My look is what Macy’s calls affordable luxury.”Brandon’s relationship with Macy’s began three years ago when he got involved in the company’s minority business development program. He then had to impress the store’s buyers who decide what makes it onto the sales floor. Today, Harlan Brandon Footwear is exclusively sold at Macy’s and generates an estimated $800,000 annually. MORE ON THIS STORY

February 21, 2007

Top-ranked Ohio State hosts hated adversary, and No. 2-ranked, Michigan this weekend for the opportunity to play in Glendale, Arizona for the National Championship this coming January. This rivalry didn't need to be a 1 vs. 2 match-up to be a good one. It has been for years. But we have a full day (really we have a full two weeks) of rivalry games lined up for our viewing pleasure. That got me to thinking about some of the great rivalries of all-time: Ali-Frazier, Yankees-Red Sox, Emmitt Smith-Mario Lopez. Some of my personal favorite rivalries are taking place this week. What do I like about these games? Everything. They have emotion. Fans would sometimes toss out an entire season as long as they could have their team win this one game. They have great names like "The Duel in the Desert," "The Red River Shootout," and "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." They even have great names for their trophies like Paul Bunyan's Axe, the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk and the Beehive Boot. There are so many great games to choose from but here are a couple of my favorites this coming weekend: Best Name: The Backyard Brawl (West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh). Okay, this one isn't this weekend...it's happening right now as I write this. That being said, this game just sounds cool - The Backyard Brawl - you pretty much have to be a the toughest teams in the area to call your game this. West Virginia and Pittsburgh first locked up for The Brawl in 1895. (Note: Somebody watching this game has to confirm this: Erin Andrews looks like she is twelve years old. I motion that all pigtails be banned from sideline reporting duties. Let's pass that law then we can start talking about getting rid of sideline reporters all together.) Best Trophy: The Floyd of Rosedale (Iowa vs. Minnesota). The Big Ten has a bunch of great trophies but this is my favorite for a couple reasons. First, it's a trophy with a 21-inch bronze pig on the top of it. I mean, come on! It's a giant pig-trophy. The other thing that makes this trophy great is that in its first year, in 1935, the governors of the two states actually bet their state's prize hog on this game. This was in the north, people! We need to start doing this again. Best overall game: The Iron Bowl. It's the annual grudge match between Auburn and Alabama (okay, I'm a little biased because I'm from the South). The Crimson Tide own a 38-31 advantage in the series with the lone tie coming in 1907. Auburn has won the last four contests. This is one of my favorites because there is such a passionate hatred between these two teams. In the state of Alabama, you grow up cheering for either Alabama or Auburn. Cheering for both is unheard of. Ohio State-Michigan is going to be a ratings giant for ABC on Saturday but there are plenty of games out there to feed your cravings. What are you going to be watching? Let me know what your favorite rivalries are.

O.J. Simpson's win-loss record is getting a little hazy. A Los Angeles judge ruled Tuesday that all residuals that go to Simpson for past movie and television appearances be turned over to the family of murder victim Ron Goldman, a decision that led both parties to declare victory. "Last year Simpson's royalty checks from all of his movies were less than 39 cents," Simpson attorney Yale Galanter said after court. "They got kicked to the curb again. Every door they're banging on gets slammed." Galanter was gallantly referring to the Goldman family's decade-long attempt to collect on the $33.5 million wrongful-death judgment awarded to them and to the family of Nicole Brown Simpson in 1997. The Goldmans have maintained that they have received next to nothing from Simpson, who blew a huge chunk of his fortune on legal expenses but has a $4 million NFL pension that the courts can't touch.

James Brown is finally going to be buried. Somewhere. The dueling factions left behind when the Godfather of Soul died on Christmas Day put aside their differences for at least one day to reach an agreement as to the late entertainer's final resting place. Tomi Rae Hynie, Brown's longtime companion who has referred in court documents as the singer's "omitted spouse," and Brown's six adult children met up in a South Carolina courthouse Tuesday, where a judge appointed a special administrator to oversee the handling of Brown's estate. The iconic performer's offspring had been looking to have Brown's longtime lawyer, Buddy Dallas, and two other men removed as trustees, accusing the trio of harboring a conflict of interest that prevented them from managing their father's affairs properly. They also alleged that some of Brown's assets were in danger of being "lost or dissipated or stolen."

How does a star reignite a career? Sometimes all it takes is a flaming skull, cool choppers and Eva Mendes' cleavage. Certainly, the combination worked wonders for Nicolas Cage with his skull-, chopper- and cleavage-graced "Ghost Rider" burning up the four-day holiday-weekend box office with a hot $51.5 million, according to estimates Monday from Exhibitor Relations. The debut figured to put Cage on track for his biggest hit since 2004's "National Treasure." Here's a rundown of the top 10 films based on Friday-Monday estimates compiled by Exhibitor Relations:

I'll let you guys in on a secret. I have this Daytime Celebrity Deathmatch fantasy -- it's Oprah versus Ellen, and for a while, Dancing DeGeneres looked like she might sideswipe the Harpo Goddess with her float-like-a-butterfly lightness. But then, Oprah, with only a wild stare of judgment, reduces Ellen to tears, and wins! Well, it looks like my fantasy has finally come true! This Thursday, Feb. 22, Oprah Winfrey will be a guest onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, and here's thetoo-cute trailerto prove it. True, the fishy smell of Oscar promotions is a little overwhelming, but I'm hoping that this installment of theEDSwill either be like my fantasy (yes, please) or like that episode ofThe Rosie O'Donnell Showwhen Barbra Streisand was on. (Remember that? Ro changed the direction of her furniture for Babs!) Sigh. Dreams really do come true.

Two-time MVP Steve Nash had 13 points and 12 assists in his return, and Shawn Marion scored 31 points in the Phoenix Suns' 115-90 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Nash had missed four games since inflammation in his right shoulder sidelined him for the second half of a victory at Denver on Feb. 5. He looked the same as always in his first game back, driving the lane and dishing off assists to his teammates, and mixing it up by pulling up and hitting jumpers.

February 20, 2007

Here’s a PBS documentary that’s worth setting your DVRs for on Feb. 20:Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes. It's part of the Independent Lens series that Terrence Howard is hosting. InBeats, Byron Hurt, a former college football star who used to listen to LL Cool J to get pumped up for a game, explores manhood in hip-hop culture — a culture that he always found himself defending. It wasn’t until after graduation when Hurt got a job lecturing about violence against women that he became very conflicted about the music he loved. Eventually, he bought a camera, hired a sound crew and mustered up the courage to question the hip-hop community about violence, misogyny and homophobia. He interviewed people across the spectrum, from young unknown rappers to industry heavyweights such as Russell Simmons, Chuck D, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Mos Def, De La Soul, Talib Kweli and Jadakiss. Here’s a primer on what he found: BET SpringBling, a three-day affair in Daytona, Fla. “The women were being sexually harassed and groped on the street,” he recently recalled in an interview with PopWatch. “I knew that stuff like that happened, but the level of the degradation that was going on down there was surprising, shocking and also very sad. Very sad.”

HomophobiaYou realize it’s a touchy subject when Hurst asks Busta Rhymes about the rapper walks out of the room saying, “I can’t even talk to you about that. With all do respect, I ain’t trying to offend nobody, what I represent culturally doesn’t condone it whatsoever.” Hurt believes this kind of thinking is deep-seeded in black history. “Black people who are close-minded about sexual orientation, it’s hard for them to make that connection because there’s this emotional attachment to like the civil rights movement, to slavery, to being oppressed,” he says. “There’s also something about gay people being seen as less-than and devalued. You don’t want to be put in that same category with gay people. And then you have to factor in the impact that religious institutions have had on the minds of black people when it comes to homosexuality. Also, if you’re sympathetic towards gay people it makes you seem less hard. And that’s something I had to consider. Just by me including homophobia and homoeroticism in my film, I knew that there were going to be people who were going to question whether I was straight or gay.”

Did he just say homoeroticism?Yep. Ironic, dontcha think? He makes a good point here: ladies aren’t the only ones looking at the oiled-up muscular rappers featured on the cover of hip-hop magazines.

Some women aren’t helping the problem.In Daytona, some women are asked about whether they are offended by being called bitches in some rap lyrics, but they say that’s the guy’s own personal problem and they‘re not really talk about them, per se. Hurt is flabbergasted, and adds in the doc that “It’s funny when I hear women say, ‘when these rappers are calling women bitches and hos, they’re not talking about me.’ It’s like, ‘Yo, they are talking about you. If George Bush was to get on national TV and make a speech and he started calling black people n----rs, would you be like ‘I don’t know who George Bush is talking about but he isn’t talking about me?’”

Young people are sick of being pigeonholed.But they feel like they have no choice. Young rappers feel that the industry doesn’t want to hear them rapping about righteousness, that the only thing that sells are raps about bullet proof vests and the number of women at their beck and call. But Hurt thinks there’s hope. “I think a lot more young people are questioning and challenging what they’re receiving than most people think,” he says. “I’ve been going around the country showing this film, and I think you would be surprised by how many young people who are tired of what they’re seeing.”

We want to hear from you, PopWatchersAre you tired of seeing the same old images and stereotypes being presented in lyrics and music videos? Do you think a well-known rapper could come out of the closet and still be successful? Do you think rappers are conflicted: on the one hand they're rapping about the rough upbringing they might have had, which historically has been the way people vent about their lives, and then on the other are trying to be good citizens? (Nelly, for instance, is known for his misogynistic lyrics but at the same time he gives back to the community through various philanthropic efforts.) Why do hip-hop artists have to act like they're hard?

February 19, 2007

As she celebrates nine years of marriage to Hollywood heartthrob Will Smith -- and her latest film Reign Over Me with Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle hitting theaters in March -- Jada Pinkett Smith has a lot to smile about. Excerpts from the interview under the cut. Jada Pinkett Smith Covers Tango

What does it mean to be Black in America in 2007? The past year watched Sean Bell's murder and Michael Richards' rant prove that White on Black racism in America is very much alive. But in certain lights, things are a changin'. For instance, some project that Young Buck's Buck the World album could ...

PASTOR SAYS OBAMA IS BAD FOR BLACKS: Presidential candidate is believed to be a 'threat' to Blacks.

Black Hollywood TimelineFrom Birth of A Nation to Dreamgirls -- By Nsenga K. Burton February 16, 2007--The success of blacks in Hollywood can be measured in many ways. Here, we take a look at the entrepreneurialism of black filmmakers who worked diligently against racism inside and outside of the Hollywood film industry in order to give African Americans a voice. We also take a look at those stars who paved the way for the many actors and actresses we see today. Dorothy Dandridge cracked the door open with her Academy-Award nominated performance in Carmen Jones, Whoopi Goldberg and Angela Bassett opened it a little wider with their Academy-Award nominated performances in The Color Purple and What’s Love Got to Do With It, and Halle Berry finally knocked it down with her win in 2002 for Monster’s Ball, which raises another issue. Sometimes writers, producers and actors are criticized for the choices that they make in order to obtain success. Goldberg, Berry, Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington were criticized for their award-winning portrayals. However, without those successes, we may not have had Lackawanna Blues or Antwone Fisher. So, success as it relates to African Americans in Hollywood is often relative because of the precariousness of the industry and its practices. What follows is a timeline of some of the firsts, the hits and the important moments in black Hollywood. MORE ON THIS STORY

Pharrell, Akon, Thicke Play Concerts to Raise Global Warming AwarenessBy: Julianne Shepherd - Al Gore and musicians join to help fight climate crisis. Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, Akon, Robin Thicke and the Black Eyed Peas will join over 100 other performers from around the world in a seven-continent concert to raise global warming awareness. The performances, called Live Earth: The Concert for a Climate in Crisis, will occur on July 7, 2007, over 24 hours. On Thursday, Al Gore, Cameron Diaz, Williams and others unveiled the plans for the concerts, which are expected to be viewed by over 2 billion people across the world via television, radio and the internet. Proceeds will go towards The Alliance for Climate Protection, a Gore-helmed initiative to fight global warming. While Gore heads the project, several musicians reached out to him about the concert first, including the Black Eyed Peas, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pharrell Williams. "This atmosphere is being abused," said Williams in a press conference held yesterday. It's something we need to take seriously. I'm thrilled to be a part of the planning [of this concert]. [This is] an integral moment of the history of our planet." MORE ON THIS STORY

September 2012

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